| name | court-document-formatting |
| title | Court Document Formatting |
| description | Builds a filing-ready formatting blueprint for U.S. litigation pleadings, motions, and briefs by applying caption, spacing, pagination, certificate, and e-filing requirements with court-specific local-rule overrides. Use when preparing court documents, checking filing compliance, generating exhibit packages, or converting drafts for e-filing. Triggers: court filing format, caption, page limits, line numbers, service certificate, PDF/A, local rules, judge instructions. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/court-document-formatting |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | litigation |
| language | en |
Court Document Formatting
Produces a court-compliance format map for litigation filings by layering federal baselines, local rules, and judge-specific orders.
Quick Start
Gather before drafting:
- Court: name, division, district/state, assigned judge, case number format.
- Rules: FRCP or state counterpart + exact local rules version in effect.
- Document class: pleading, motion, brief, reply, notice, or order response.
- Filing channel: paper, CM/ECF, or vendor portal.
- Ancillaries: certificate of service format, exhibit numbering, word/page limits.
Core Workflow
1. Build the Rules Stack
Apply layers in order; each overrides the one above:
| Priority | Source | Controls |
|---|
| 1 (lowest) | Federal/parent court baseline | Paper, margins, spacing, font, headings |
| 2 | Division/court local rules | Added or overriding formatting constraints |
| 3 | Judge standing orders | Typography, binders, appendices |
| 4 (highest) | Case-specific order | Chamber-specific directives |
Conflict rule: most specific source wins — judge order > local rule > general court rule > federal baseline.
2. Apply Base Federal Defaults
| Element | Default |
|---|
| Paper | 8.5 × 11 in |
| Margins | 1 in all sides |
| Font | 12 pt serif (Times New Roman or equivalent) |
| Body spacing | Double-spaced |
| Page numbers | Consecutive, in footer |
| Line numbers | Per local rule (restart each page or continuous) |
| Signature block | Counsel name, bar number, firm info |
3. Set the Caption
[COURT NAME]
[DISTRICT/COUNTY IDENTIFIER]
[PLAINTIFF],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT],
Defendant.
Case No. [COURT-SPECIFIC FORMAT]
[DOCUMENT TITLE]
4. Verify Local Variations
